JP2009090025A - Match game system, and match game management method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to resume a game in a case of forced termination of it from the point of the forced termination in a matching mode with the CPU. <P>SOLUTION: The match game system provides a simulated match game to be played among a plurality of players through a game screen displayed on a monitor 11 of each client terminal 1. The game system includes a game monitor part 161g to forcedly terminate the game as prescribed time is reached during the game, and store information of the game in progress when it is forcedly terminated in association with each player in a memory, a resumption processing part 161h to receive a game resuming instruction by the player subjected to forced termination, and read the game information in progress stored in association with each player to resume the game, and a CPU player match control part 161i to provide the game to be resumed from the situation at the time point of forced termination using the read game information in progress to be played with a CPU player under control of the computer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a battle game system and a battle game management method for performing a pseudo battle game between a plurality of players via game images displayed on display screens of game devices that can communicate with each other.

In Patent Document 1, as a countermeasure for long-term use of a game machine in a home video game machine, a timer setting switch is provided on a game control pad, and the time is set in advance by a timer at the start of the game. A game machine has been proposed in which an alarm is issued when the game is continuously used beyond a set time so that the player is encouraged to take a break and the continuation can be executed after the required break.
JP 10-118335 A

  By the way, in the case of an arcade game machine (game device installed in a store), unlike the measures for long-term continuous use in a home game machine as in Patent Document 1, it is not possible for a player to visit the store. In addition, there is a restriction on the use of the game device due to the closing of the store, it is necessary to consider a new countermeasure when approaching the closing time in the middle of the game, temporarily ending the game in the middle of the reason for closing For example, in a mahjong game or the like in which one game can take a relatively long time, it may affect the ability to attract customers near the closing of the store. Furthermore, in the case of a competitive game, if the game is forcibly terminated in the middle, the player may be indigested, and the problem that the original sense of achievement cannot be given is also considered. There is no guarantee that all players who have played will come to the store at a later date. Considering these points, it is necessary to take some countermeasures for handling a game that was forcibly terminated on the way.

  In addition to the situation on the store side (closing etc.) in addition to the situation on the player side (the next schedule, etc.), the end of the game is time information on the game end due to the store side situation or the player side situation. It is desirable to notify

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and when the game is forcibly terminated as a result of reaching a predetermined time in the middle of the game, the game is resumed from the point of forcible termination in a manner in which the game is played against the CPU later. It is an object of the present invention to provide a battle game system and a game management method for the battle game system.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a battle game system in which a pseudo battle game is played between a plurality of players via a game image displayed on a display screen of each game device in which game operation information can be communicated with each other. A game player battle control means for receiving operation information from each operation unit operated by each player and causing the game device to advance a battle game; and forcibly ending the game when a predetermined time is reached during the battle game; The game monitoring means that stores the intermediate progress information, which is the game operation information at the time of forced termination, in association with each player and stored in the memory, and accepts an instruction to resume the game by the player who has received the forced termination, and associates with the player Game resumption processing means for resuming the game by reading out the stored intermediate progress information and the read intermediate progress The game to be restarted from the same situation as the forced end with broadcast and is characterized in that a CPU player match control means for playing against a virtual player controlled by a computer.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the battle of the battle game system in which a pseudo battle game is played between a plurality of players via a game image displayed on the display screen of each game device in which game operation information can be communicated with each other. In the game management method, the player battle control means accepts operation information from each operation unit operated by each player, and the game device advances the battle game. The game monitoring means performs a predetermined game during the battle game. When the time has been reached, the game is forcibly terminated, and the intermediate progress information that is the game operation information at the time of the forced termination is stored in the memory in association with each player, and the game by the player who has received the forced termination Is instructed to be resumed, the reading means reads out the intermediate progress information stored in association with the player, and Control means, a game to be restarted from the read progress information of the same conditions and the forced end with, is characterized in that to match the CPU player controlled by a computer.

  According to these configurations, the game image is displayed on the display screen of each game device in which the game operation information can be communicated with each other, and the game device is simulated with each player who operates each game device via the game image. Battle game is held. The player battle control means receives operation information from each operation unit operated by each player, and the game device advances the battle game. When the game monitoring means reaches a predetermined time during the battle game, the game is played. The process is forcibly terminated, and the intermediate progress information that is the game operation information at the time of the forced termination is stored in the memory in association with each player. When the player who has received the forced termination at a later time or later is instructed to resume the game, the reading means reads out the intermediate progress information stored in association with the player, and controls the CPU battle. By the means, the game is restarted from the same situation as the forcible end time using the read progress information. At this time, the opponent player is replaced with a CPU player controlled by the computer, and the game is resumed from the time when the game was forcibly terminated with the replaced CPU player. Therefore, even when the game is forcibly terminated in the middle of the game, the game can be resumed from the point of forced termination in a manner that will be played against the CPU player later, satisfying the player's sense of achievement. It becomes possible to do.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the competitive game system according to the first aspect, a predetermined number of game devices are arranged in a store so as to be communicable with each other, and the battle game is executed between the game devices. It is made possible. According to this configuration, the present invention is applied even when a battle game is played between a plurality of game devices in the store.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the competitive game system according to the second aspect, the game devices are arranged in a plurality of stores, and the game devices are connected to each other so as to communicate with each other. The battle game can be executed between game devices. According to this configuration, the present invention is applied even when a battle game is played with a game device installed in another store.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the competitive game system according to the second or third aspect, the game monitoring means includes time setting means for presetting a forced end time. According to this configuration, the forced end time may be set in the apparatus in advance, but can be set to a desired time by the player or the store worker.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the competitive game system according to the fourth aspect, the time setting means sets a closing time of the store. According to this structure, the setting by the store worker is possible so that the forced termination is performed when the store is closed.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the competitive game system according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the time setting means allows the player to input a desired time. According to this configuration, since it is possible to set the forced end time by the player to a desired time, it is possible to prevent as much as possible from forgetting or being late for the next action schedule or the like. .

  The invention according to claim 7 is the competitive game system according to claim 6, wherein the time setting means displays a timetable of transportation on the screen and receives time input from the time setting means. To do. According to this configuration, the timetable of transportation is displayed on the screen, and it is possible to automatically select or specify the last departure time or the desired departure time by the time setting means.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the competitive game system according to the sixth aspect, the game monitoring means transmits and receives a set time between a plurality of game devices in the competitive game. According to this configuration, the game monitoring means transmits / receives each other's set time between a plurality of game devices in the battle game, thereby determining whether one of the players is forcibly terminated and the time of the forced termination. It becomes possible to know in advance.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the competitive game system according to any one of the fourth to eighth aspects, the game monitoring means issues an alarm when a predetermined time before the set time is reached. Features. According to this configuration, when the game monitoring unit reaches a time before the set time, an alarm is notified, that is, a forecast is made. Therefore, depending on the type of game, the game progresses between the forecast and the forced end time. Adjustments can be made.

  A tenth aspect of the present invention is the competitive game system according to any one of the fourth to ninth aspects, wherein the game monitoring means displays the current time and the set time together. According to this configuration, since the game monitoring means displays the current time and the set time together, the remaining time can be easily recognized.

  Invention of Claim 11 is equipped with the average play time setting means which sets the average play time of each stage of the game comprised from a some stage in the competitive game system in any one of Claims 4-10, The game monitoring means compares the time from the stage end time to the forced end time with the average play time every time each stage ends, and the time from the stage end time to the forced end time is the average play time. If it is longer than the time, the next stage is allowed, and if the time from the stage end time to the forced end time is shorter than the average play time, the forced end is performed without proceeding to the next stage. It is characterized by that. According to this configuration, the average play time setting means sets the average play time of each stage of the game composed of a plurality of stages, and the game monitoring means starts from the stage end time each time each stage ends. The time until the forced end time is compared with the average play time, and if the time from the stage end time to the forced end time is longer than the average play time, progress to the next stage is permitted and the stage ends If the time from the time to the forced end time is shorter than the average play time, the forced end is performed without proceeding to the next stage. Therefore, forced termination is performed in units of stages.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the competitive game system according to the eleventh aspect, when the time from the stage end time to the forcible end time is shorter than the average play time, the selection means for performing notification for accepting selection of forced continuation When the forced continuation is selected, the game monitoring means prohibits the forced termination and permits the game to be continued. According to this configuration, when the time from the stage end time to the forced end time is shorter than the average play time, the selection unit notifies that the selection of forced continuation is accepted. Then, when the forced continuation is selected by the selection means, the forced termination is prohibited by the game monitoring means, thereby permitting the continuation of the game.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the competitive game system according to any one of the first to third aspects, when a signal indicating that the opponent game device is forcibly terminated is received, the opponent for which the forced termination has been received In the game apparatus of the present invention, the game device is provided with a continuous battle control means for reading out the halfway progress information at the time of forced termination and using the read halfway progress information to continue the battle game by a CPU player controlled by a computer instead of the opponent. It is characterized by that. According to this configuration, when a signal indicating that the opponent's game device has been forcibly terminated is received, intermediate progress information at the time of forced termination in the opponent's game device that has received the forcible termination is read. The read game progress information is used to continue the battle game with the CPU player controlled by the computer instead of the opponent. Therefore, even if one player forcibly terminates, the influence on the remaining players can be minimized.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, even when the game is forcibly terminated by reaching a predetermined time during the game, the game can be resumed from the point of forced termination in a manner to play against the CPU later. It is possible to satisfy the player's feeling of achievement.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the present invention can be applied to a case where a battle game is played between a plurality of game devices in the store. Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the present invention can be applied to other stores. The present invention can also be applied to a case where a battle game is played with an installed game device.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the forced end time can be set to a desired time by the player or the store worker in addition to the aspect set in advance in the apparatus.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the setting by the store worker is possible so that it is forcibly terminated when the store is closed.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to set the forced end time by the player to a desired time, so that forgetting or being late for the next action schedule is prevented as much as possible. it can.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a timetable of transportation can be displayed on the screen, and the last departure time or a desired departure time can be automatically selected or designated by the time setting means.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, whether or not one of the players is forcibly terminated by sending / receiving the set times between the plurality of game devices in the competitive game by the game monitoring means, The end point can be known in advance.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when the game monitoring means reaches a time before a predetermined time of the set time, an alarm is notified, that is, a forecast is given. Depending on the type of game between the forecast and the forced end time, Can adjust the game progress.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, since the current time and the set time are displayed together by the game monitoring means, the remaining time can be easily recognized.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to perform forced termination in units of stages.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, when forced continuation is selected by the selection means, the forced termination is prohibited, and the game can be continued.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the halfway progress information at the time of forced termination in the game device of the opponent who has been forcibly terminated is read out, and the read halfway progress information is used to replace the opponent by the computer. The battle game with the controlled CPU player can be continued. Therefore, even if any player forcibly terminates, the influence on the remaining players can be minimized.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a battle game system according to the present invention. The competitive game system is communicably connected to a client terminal device (game terminal device) 1 associated with identification information and a plurality of (here, eight) client terminal devices 1, and relay / connection between them. And a router 2 that is a communication device for connection between each client terminal device 1 and a client terminal device of another store via a network (Internet), and each router 2 is communicably connected to each other. And a center server device 3 that manages information relating to player authentication, player selection, and game history for the player to perform using the client terminal device 1.

  The client terminal device 1 advances a game by a player performing a predetermined operation based on a game screen displayed on a monitor. The identification information associated with the client terminal device 1 includes the identification information for each router 2 to which the client terminal device 1 is connected (or the identification information of the store where the client terminal device 1 is installed) and the client terminal. And identification information (referred to as a terminal number) for each client terminal device 1 in the store where the device 1 is provided. For example, when the identification information of the store A is A and the identification information of the client terminal device 1 in the store A is 4, the identification information of the client terminal device 1 is A4.

  The router 2 is connected to a plurality of client terminal devices 1 and the center server device 3 so as to be able to communicate with each other, and transmits and receives data between the client terminal device 1 and the center server device 3.

  The center server device 3 is communicably connected to each router 2, stores the player information in association with a player ID for specifying an individual player, and transmits / receives data to / from the client terminal device 1 via the router 2. By selecting the player, the player who plays the game in the same game space as the player (referred to as the opponent) is selected.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an embodiment of the client terminal device 1. Note that the game performed using the client terminal device 1 may be a personal game or a battle game. In this embodiment, a mahjong game is assumed, and a player who operates the client terminal device 1 and other clients A player who operates the terminal device 1 and at least one of the CPU players play against each other. When competing with a player who operates another client terminal device 1, according to the contents operated by each player between the client terminal device 1 and the client terminal device 1 in the battle via the network communication unit 18 and the router 2 described later. Operation data is transmitted and received.

  The client terminal device 1 determines which button is instructed from the monitor 11 that displays the game screen, the address of the button that prompts the selection displayed on the game screen of the monitor 11, and the pressed position by the player. And a speaker 12 for outputting sound, a card reader 13 for reading information such as a user ID stored in a personal card, and a coin receiving unit 14 for receiving coins inserted by the player. The monitor 11 displays an image, and is a liquid crystal display or a plasma display. In the monitor 11, a game image area is set in the main part of the screen, and a small screen area 600 is set in a predetermined part of the screen, that is, in the right side in FIG. The personal card is a magnetic card or IC card in which personal information such as a card ID is stored.

  A control unit 16 (see FIG. 3) including a microcomputer that outputs detection signals from the respective units and control signals to the respective units is disposed at appropriate positions of the client terminal device 1.

  FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an embodiment of the client terminal device 1. The control unit 16 controls the overall operation of the client terminal device 1, and includes various processes related to the overall progress of the game, image display processing, time setting for forcibly terminating the game, which will be described later, and game monitoring processing. An information processing unit (CPU) 161 that performs information processing, a RAM 162 that temporarily stores information in the middle of processing, and a ROM 163 that stores predetermined image information, a game program, and the like, which will be described later, are stored in advance.

  The external input / output control unit 171 converts the detection signal into a digital signal for processing between the control unit 16 and the detection unit including the card reader 13, the touch panel 11a (operation unit), and the coin receiving unit 14, and also provides command information. Is converted into a control signal and output to each device of the detection unit, and such signal processing and input / output processing are performed, for example, in a time-sharing manner. The external device control unit 172 performs a control signal output operation to each device of the detection unit and a detection signal input operation from each device of the detection unit within each time division period.

  The drawing processing unit 111 displays a required image on the monitor 11 in accordance with an image display instruction from the control unit 16, and includes a video RAM and the like. The sound reproducing unit 121 outputs a predetermined message, BGM, or the like to the speaker 12 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 16.

  The ROM 163 stores a mahjong tile character, a background image, various screen images, and the like. A mahjong tile character or the like is composed of a required number of polygons constituting the mahjong tile character so that it can be three-dimensionally drawn, and the drawing processing unit 111 is based on a drawing instruction from the CPU 161 from a position in the three-dimensional space. Performs calculation for conversion to a position in the pseudo three-dimensional space, light source calculation processing, etc., and writing of image data to be drawn into the video RAM based on the calculation result, for example, designated by polygons The texture data is written (pasted) to the video RAM area. The ROM 163 stores information related to game monitoring, which will be described later, for displaying on the small screen.

  Here, the relationship between the operation of the CPU 161 and the operation of the drawing processing unit 111 will be described. The CPU 161 outputs an image from the ROM 163 based on an operating system (OS) recorded in the ROM 163 as an attachment / detachment method with respect to the built-in or external image information output to the monitor 11 and the image table processing unit for displaying the image information. The voice and control program data and game program data are read out. Some or all of the read image, sound, control program data, and the like are held on the RAM 162. Thereafter, the CPU 161 is based on a control program stored in the RAM 162, various data (image data including other character images such as polygons and textures of display objects, audio data), a detection signal from the detection unit, and the like. Processing proceeds.

  Of various data stored in the ROM 163, data that can be stored in a removable recording medium can be read by a driver such as a hard disk drive, an optical disk drive, a flexible disk drive, a silicon disk drive, or a cassette medium reader. In this case, the recording medium is, for example, a hard disk, an optical disk, a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, or a semiconductor memory.

  The network communication unit 18 transmits / receives player operation information (game operation information), various event information, and the like generated during the execution of the mahjong game to / from the client terminal device 1 that is playing a battle via the router 2 and the network. Is to do. Further, as will be described later, when the forced termination of the game occurs, the network communication unit 18 indicates that the forced termination has occurred, the player who has received the forced termination, and the game progress information at the time of the forced termination. 2 or through the network or the network via the network. As will be described later, this is because a player other than the player who has been forcibly terminated among the players in the battle, i.e., the remaining players play against the CPU player controlled by the computer on behalf of the player who has been forcibly terminated. This is to prevent the remaining players from being affected as much as possible even by forced termination.

  Further, the network communication unit 18 routes information related to personal authentication, etc. at the time of acceptance processing for a new player before and after the game execution, game results at the end of the game, and game progress information at the time of forced termination of the game. For transmitting / receiving data to / from the center server 3 via 2 or the like. By transmitting the game progress information at the time when the game is forcibly terminated to the center server 3, data storage is performed so that the forcibly terminated player can resume the continuation at a later date, as will be described later. . The progress information of the game sent to the center server 3 at the time when the game is forcibly included also includes the progress information of all the players who have played at the same table where the game was played. In addition to the player who has been forcibly terminated, information on other players may be included.

  FIG. 4 is a functional configuration diagram of the control unit 16 of the client terminal device 1. The CPU 161 of the control unit 16 is operated by each player, a game progress control unit 161a that controls a series of progress from the start to the end of the game, an image display processing unit 161b that displays a game image and game monitoring information on the monitor 3, and each player. A game player battle control unit 161c that accepts operation information from the touch panel 11a, which is an operation unit, and advances the mahjong game, and evaluates the player's operation during the game to evaluate the game results at the end of the game (the number of points) ) And a rank processing unit 161d for obtaining the ranking, and a communication control unit 161e for performing communication control of various information.

  Further, the control unit 161 forcibly ends the game when reaching a predetermined time set in advance during the mahjong game and a time setting unit 161f that sets the forced end time in advance. A game monitoring unit 161g that stores information in a memory (an intermediate progress information storage unit 162a described later) in association with each player, and a game that reads the intermediate progress information stored in association with the player and restarts the game A game that is resumed from the same situation as the forced termination time using the resume processing unit 161h and the progress information read when the game is resumed by the game resume processing unit is replaced with the opponent player before the forced termination, A CPU player battle control unit 161 i for playing a battle with a virtual CPU player controlled by a computer;In addition, the control unit 161 includes an average play time setting unit 161j that sets an average play time of each station of a mahjong game composed of a plurality of stations (a plurality of stages) automatically or manually, and each end of each station. And a selection unit 161k that determines whether or not the time from that time to the forced end time is shorter than the average play time set by the average play time setting unit 161j, and accepts selection of forced continuation when the time is shorter. Yes.

  In the above, in the case of a mahjong game, the intermediate progress information is information about a place and a parent, a hand of a player, a hand of an opponent player, an array of a plurality of kites forming a mountain, abandonment of each player, Information related to changes in the situation necessary for the progress of the game, such as the value of the player's dotted bar (the game operation information). The intermediate progress information at the time of forced termination is updated immediately before the forced termination is received. Information. It should be noted that not all such information, but contents that particularly affect the game progress or result, such as the self player's hand, the opponent player's hand, the arrangement of a plurality of kites forming a mountain, and the discard of each player Only cocoon may be used.

  Further, when the control unit 161 receives a signal indicating the forced termination from the opponent's client terminal device 1 (game monitoring unit thereof), the control unit 161 indicates the forced termination point in the opponent's client terminal device 1 that has received the forced termination. The intermediate progress information is read out from the intermediate progress information storage unit 162a, which will be described later. Using the read intermediate progress information, a CPU player controlled by the computer is set in place of the opponent, and the CPU player is set. That is, a continuous battle control unit 161l that allows the CPU player battle control unit 161i to continue the battle game is provided.

  When the game ends, the score processing unit 161d manages the number of points of each player that increase or decrease from the start of the game to the end of the game for a predetermined number of stations on the virtual desk. The number of points virtually owned by the player as a point bar is managed, and the order is determined in the order of the player with the highest number of points.

  The RAM 162 of the control unit 16 updates the game progress information during the game on the same table (same game space) sequentially for each player, that is, for all the opponents that are obtained via the self and the network communication unit 18. The ranking (including the score of the bar as required) determined by the player at the end of the game, determined by the intermediate progress information storage unit 162a and the score processing unit 161d, is stored for each player. A game result storage unit 162b, and a time-related information storage unit 162c that stores time information set as the forced end time and game monitoring data related to the information. The intermediate progress information is reset by the time when the next game starts when the game ends normally, and is transmitted to the center server device 3 as information on the table when the forced end time is reached. Is done. The center server device 3 stores intermediate progress information, which is table information transmitted as described later, for a predetermined period (for example, a predetermined number of days of at least one business day).

  FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the center server device 3 according to the present invention. The control unit 36 controls the overall operation of the center server device 3, and includes an information processing unit (CPU) 361, a RAM 362 for temporarily storing information during processing, predetermined image information, and personal information of the player. And a ROM 363 in which player information and the like related to the game of each player is stored in advance. The RAM 362 has an area for storing intermediate progress information, which is information on the table, transmitted from the client terminal device that has been forcibly terminated.

  Among various data stored in the ROM 363, data that can be stored in a removable recording medium can be read by a driver such as a hard disk drive, an optical disk drive, a flexible disk drive, a silicon disk drive, or a cassette medium reader. In this case, the recording medium is, for example, a hard disk, an optical disk, a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, or a semiconductor memory.

  The network communication unit 38 transmits / receives various data to / from the corresponding client terminal device 1 according to the terminal identification information via one of the plurality of routers 2 via a network such as WWW.

  Note that the game progress program is recorded on the ROM 363, loaded onto the RAM 362, and the game progress program on the RAM 362 is sequentially executed by the CPU 361, thereby realizing each function.

  FIG. 6 is a functional configuration diagram of the control unit 36 of the center server device 3. The CPU 361 of the control unit 36 is set in a standby state by a reception unit 361a that accepts participation of the player in the game at the start of the game at each client terminal device 1, a player that is received by the reception unit 361a, and a standby unit 361c that will be described later. A selection unit 361b that selects a predetermined number (here, 3) or less of players who are playing in the same game space from a predetermined number of players according to a predetermined rule, and a selection unit A player who is not selected by 361b is set in a standby state, and a waiting unit 361c that causes the selection unit 361b to perform selection of the player and a player selected by the selecting unit 361b play a game in the same game space. The standby state is set by the first execution unit 361d to be executed and the standby unit 361c. A second execution unit 361e that causes a player to execute a game in the same game space as the CPU player, and, after the forced end point, the remaining players on the same table are controlled by the computer on behalf of the player who has received the forced end Instruction to ensure the continuation of the game by allowing the CPU player to participate, and when the player who has forcibly terminated wants to resume the game from the point of forced termination later or later, the forced termination Information between each client terminal device 1 and the CPU player battle management unit 361f that generates a CPU player controlled by a computer in place of another player who has played at the table that received the game and ensures the resumption of the game. And a communication control unit 361g for transmitting / receiving.

  Of the functions of the CPU player battle management unit 361f, following the forced end point, the remaining players on the same table are allowed to participate in the game by causing the CPU player controlled by the computer to participate in place of the player who has received the forced end. The function for instructing to ensure the continuation of the client terminal may be replaced with an aspect instructed from the client terminal device 1 that has been forcibly terminated. In addition, when the player who has been forced to end by the CPU player battle management unit 361f desires to restart the game from the point of forced end later or later, another player who has played on the table that has received the forced end Instead of generating the CPU player controlled by the computer and ensuring the resumption of the game, the game can be resumed at a store other than the client terminal device 1 that has been forcibly terminated.

  The RAM 362 includes a player information storage unit 362a that stores personal information such as user ID data, a history storage unit 362b that stores a history of game results (war results) for each player, and a client in which the game is forcibly terminated. A forced termination storage unit 362b that stores the progress information of the game transmitted from the terminal device 1;

  The accepting unit 361a accepts personal information such as the user ID data of the player transmitted from each client terminal device 1, and accepts participation of the player in the game based on the player information stored in the player information storage unit 362a. Is. Further, when the personal authentication is completed, the accepting unit 361a searches whether or not the player is stored as a forced ending person in the forced ending information storage unit 362c. In addition to being transmitted to the battle management unit 361f, it is also transmitted to the standby unit 361c and the selection unit 361b so that the game monitoring by the CPU player battle management unit 361f is preferentially executed. Alternatively, when the player is stored as a forced quitter in the forced termination information storage unit 362c, the reception unit 361a can select a normal screen participation or a game restart based on the forced termination. (Selection button display) may be displayed on the monitor of the client terminal device 1 on 11 to prompt the player to select.

  In the case of normal game participation, the selection unit 361b selects a player who plays in the same game space (same table) from among the players received by the reception unit 361a and the players in the standby state by the standby unit 361c. The selection is made (combined) according to the rules, for example, the order of early players or the strength of the game obtained from the history. Further, the selection unit 361b selects a player at least once more when the number of selected players is less than 3 (that is, 2). In the present embodiment, the selection unit 361a assigns, for example, selection numbers to the selected client terminal devices 1 in the order of selection.

  The standby unit 361c places the player in a standby state when the player is not selected by the selection unit 361b (in the case of a selection rule other than the first-to-first order), and causes the selection unit 361b to perform player selection. The standby state is a state in which the selection unit 361b waits for an opponent to be selected.

  The first execution unit 161d causes the players selected by the selection unit 361b to execute a game in the same game space. That is, the players selected by the selection unit 361b become opponents, and the instruction information indicating that the game is to be executed (sitting virtually at the same table) is transmitted to the client terminal device 1 used by the selected player. To do.

  The second execution unit 161e instructs the player who is in a standby state by the standby unit 361c to execute the game in the same game space as the CPU player. In addition, when the player received by the receiving unit 361a via a certain client terminal device 1 is a player who has been forcibly terminated, the second execution unit 361e is updated by the CPU player battle management unit 361f from the forced termination information storage unit 362c. The intermediate progress information of the player's desk and the intermediate progress information of the remaining players are transmitted to the received client terminal device 1. The second execution unit 361e refers to the midway progress information of other players who have played at the same table, and sets CPU players whose execution is controlled by the computer based on the game rules. The client terminal device 1 may be transmitted.

  Hereinafter, the overall processing of the mahjong game will be described first.

  FIG. 7 is an example of a flowchart showing the operation of the center server device 3. First, the personal information transmitted from the client terminal device 1 is received by the accepting unit 361a (step ST1), and the player authentication process is executed based on the player information stored in the player information storage unit 362a and affirmed. Then, participation in the game is permitted (step ST3). Next, three players who play in the same game space are selected from the players permitted to participate by the accepting unit 361a and accepted by the selecting unit 361b (accepted when the mode is not “one-player” mode described later). The client terminal used by the player who has been selected according to the above-mentioned rules and has been selected by the first execution unit 361d for instruction information for executing the game in the same game space (same table) among the players selected by the selection unit 361b It is transmitted to the apparatus 1 (step ST5). Note that the information processing unit 361 monitors the operating status and the like of all the client terminal devices 1 in which the game is executed by the first execution unit 161d (step ST7). Further, when the player whose authentication in step ST3 is affirmed is the player who has been forcibly terminated first, the CPU player match management unit 361f sets the CPU player for the players other than the player (in the restart mode). Then, the setting content including the intermediate progress information is transmitted to the accepted client terminal device 1 (step ST7).

  FIG. 8 is an example of a detailed flowchart in the case where there is reception from a player other than the player who has been forcibly terminated in step ST5 (competitor determination process) shown in FIG. The following processing is performed by the selection unit 361b unless otherwise specified. First, the battle mode transmitted from the client terminal device 1 is received by the reception unit 361a (step ST11). Here, in the battle mode, there are three modes of “one-player”, “in-store battle”, and “communication battle” in addition to the restart mode. The “one-player” mode is a mode for playing against the CPU player, and the “in-store battle” mode is a battle when all the competitors are using the client terminal device 1 connected to the same store server 2. The “communication battle” mode is a battle mode when at least one player is a player using the client terminal device 1 connected to a different store server.

  Next, the reception unit 361a determines whether or not the battle mode is the “one-player” mode (step ST12). If this determination is affirmative, the process is returned. If this determination is negative, the player is accepted, the time counter T is initialized to 0 (step ST13), and an instruction is given to display a standby screen on the monitor 11 of the client terminal device 1 of the player. Information is sent.

  Then, it is determined whether or not there is a player in a standby state or a player who has already been received by the standby unit 361c (step ST15). If this determination is negative, the process proceeds to step ST21. If this determination is affirmed, up to three players who play in the same game space are selected according to a predetermined rule from among the accepted players and the players in the standby state by the standby unit 361c (Step S1). ST17) The instruction information is transmitted to the client terminal device 1 that the player is playing so as to display a standby screen showing the selected result.

  It is determined whether or not the number of players (number of opponents) selected in step ST17 is 3 (step ST19). If this determination is affirmative, the process is returned. If this determination is negative, the time counter T is incremented (step ST21), and it is determined whether or not the time counter T is equal to or greater than a predetermined time TMAX (here, 30 seconds) (step ST23). If this determination is negative, the process returns to step ST15. If this determination is negative, it is determined whether or not the number of players selected in step ST17 is 0 (that is, not selected) (step ST25). If this determination is affirmative, the standby unit 361c puts the player in a standby state (step ST27). If this determination is negative, the process is returned.

  In step ST27, instruction information is transmitted to the client terminal device 1 so as to start a CPU battle (a battle with only the CPU player). Accordingly, the player waits on the condition of a waiting time of a predetermined time until three players are selected while playing a CPU match.

  Next, the operation of the client terminal device 1 executed based on the instruction from the center server device 3 will be described. FIG. 9 is an example of a flowchart showing the operation of the client terminal device 1. First, user ID data is read from the personal card inserted in the card reader 13 (step S31), and the user ID data is transmitted to the center server device 3 (step ST33). Then, a mode selection screen for selecting the battle mode is displayed, an input from the player is accepted, the battle mode is selected (step ST35), and the battle mode information is transmitted to the center server device 3.

  Competitor information such as the names of other players (competitors) who play the game in the same game space is received from the center server device 3 (step ST37). Next, when the instruction information for executing the game is received from the center server device 3, the game progress control unit 161a executes the game start process, determines the place and the parent (step ST39), and further plays the battle. For example, a battle screen as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed.

  FIG. 10 is an example of a screen diagram of a battle screen representing a battle situation. In the game screen, a battle screen area 500 is set as a main area, and a game monitoring screen area 600 is set as a predetermined partial area. In the battle screen area 500, the player's hand 501 is displayed on the lower side of the screen so that the type of heel can be seen, and the player's hand sword 502 is displayed on the upper and left and right sides of the screen so that the type of heel cannot be seen. In addition, a mountain 503 including a dora display bag is displayed at the approximate center of the screen, a throwing bag 504 is displayed around the mountain 503, and various buttons 506 pressed by the player are displayed at the bottom of the screen. The game proceeds by the player pressing the button 506 as appropriate while looking at the battle screen 500.

  Returning to the flowchart shown in FIG. After the battle is started, the game progress control unit 161a determines whether or not the battle is over (step S43). If this determination is negative, the process returns to step ST41. When this determination is affirmed, a score such as a ranking in the game is determined by the score processing unit 161d (step ST45). Next, it is determined whether or not to continue the game, that is, whether or not a predetermined number of coins have been inserted (step ST47). If this determination is affirmative, the process returns to step ST33, and if this determination is negative, the process proceeds to step ST49, and information indicating that the game has been completed and the battle end information such as the results are sent to the center server device 3. Is transmitted and the process is terminated.

  Subsequently, returning to FIG. 4, each part will be described. The image display processor 161b sets a game monitoring screen area 600 on a predetermined partial area of the monitor 11, that is, on the right side in the example of FIG. 10, and displays a required screen described later. In FIG. 10, the game monitoring screen area 600 has a virtual clock 601 displaying the current time measured by the internal timer 161m at the center, and an alarm setting button 602 for setting the time below the game clock screen area 600. Adjustment buttons 603 and 604 represented by arrows for returning or advancing the time for adjusting the time of the clock 601 correctly are displayed. Further, a button 605 for selecting whether the display form of the clock is displayed in analog or digital is displayed at the lower part, and a last power setting button 606 is displayed at the bottom. Note that the last power setting button 606 may be shared with the alarm setting button 602. In this case, when the alarm setting button is pressed, the screen shifts to a selection screen for selecting a time setting for personal convenience or a time setting for the last power. do it. When the last train setting button is pressed, it is preferable that a timetable regarding the nearest station on the route is read and displayed on the monitor 11 as described later.

  Further, the image display processing unit 161b displays an alarm setting screen 610 for setting an alarm by the player as shown in FIG. 11, when an alarm setting time as shown in FIG. Are displayed in the game monitoring screen area 600. 11 and 12 show only the game monitoring screen area 600. FIG. On the alarm setting screen 610, a time display unit 611 for displaying the hour and minute, an up / down button 612 and 613 for individually raising and lowering the hour and minute, and an ON button 614 for confirming the set time are displayed. The game monitoring screen area 600 of FIG. 12 displays a screen when the alarm is activated when the time set on the alarm setting screen, in this example, reaches 11:53.

  FIG. 13 shows a screen when the set time is reached during the game (playing) in the game monitoring screen area 600. The image display processing unit 161b displays an alarm notification screen superimposed on the battle screen area 500 as an alarm (notification) screen. In the example of FIG. 13, a guidance screen 510 is displayed indicating that “the set time has come. It will end halfway. (The next play will start from this station.)”.

  FIG. 14 shows a screen displayed in the game monitoring screen area 600 when the store is closed forcibly when the store closing time is reached. The image display processing unit 161b displays a character “0 minutes until closing” in the game monitoring screen area 600, and further superimposes it on the battle screen area 500 to notify an alarm. In the example of FIG. “Thank you for using.” Guidance screen 520 is displayed. Note that the alarm may have other display contents, or an alarm notification may be performed by sound from the speaker 12. Or it is good also as an aspect notified by both.

  FIG. 15 shows that the difference between the current time and the closing time is the average play when the store closes to the closing time, when a plurality of stages, here up to a certain stage among a plurality of predetermined stages, that is, when a certain game ends. When the time is shorter than the time, the screen to be finished is displayed without proceeding to the next game. Here, in the game monitoring screen area 600, when a certain game ends, if the difference between the current time and the closing time is a predetermined time longer than 2 minutes, for example, “2 minutes until closing” “ “Closed time has arrived. You cannot continue or re-enter after that time.” Re-entry means to newly participate in the game.

  16 and 17 are final power alarm screens 630 and 640 set by pressing a final power setting button 606 displayed in the game monitoring screen area 600. FIG. In FIG. 16, the last train of the nearest station on each of the plurality of routes close to the store where the client terminal device 1 is installed (for convenience of explanation, the last train is hereinafter abbreviated as the last train. The present invention displays the time of a train, a route bus, or a mixture of these, so-called transportation.) FIG. 17 shows the nearest station of the store where the client terminal device 1 is installed. The last train time is displayed. In FIG. 17, a guidance screen 640 is displayed on the screen when it is close to the last train time, saying “It will be the last train time soon.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the time setting unit 161 f sets a time (alarm time) for forcibly ending the game. As for the game end time, there are a case where the store side sets the closing time and a case where the player (or the store side) sets the end time so as not to miss the last train. The time setting unit 161f uses a store closing setting button (not shown) displayed on the initial screen or inside the housing of the client terminal device 1 and is provided at a location where the player cannot operate from the outside. Is used to allow a worker to set a closing time and a closing time, and to capture the setting contents. Specifically, the setting is guided by presenting a screen as shown in FIG. 11 to the worker via the monitor 11 or via a dedicated monitor. Further, in the store using a predetermined or any one of the plurality of client terminal devices 1 installed in the store, or via a store server (not shown) and the network communication unit 18. Alternatively, the closing setting and the closing time may be set for all the client terminal devices 1 at once.

  In addition, the time setting unit 161f allows the player to perform an input operation on a scheduled time or possible time for the player to play the game, that is, a time at which the game must be ended, at the start of the game or after the start of the game. It is. When the alarm setting button in the game monitoring screen area 600 shown in the screen during the game is pressed as shown in FIG. 10, the time setting unit 161f shifts to the screen shown in FIG. 11 and permits time setting by the player. It is. After shifting to the screen of FIG. 11, the time setting unit 161f displays the current time measured by the internal timer 161m described above on the time display unit 611, and in this state, the up / down buttons corresponding to the hour and minute Each time the buttons 612 and 613 are pressed, the pressing is detected and the numerical value is increased or decreased by one, or when a continuous pressing state is detected in consideration of the convenience of setting, continuously at a predetermined speed. A mode of increasing or decreasing the numerical value is adopted. When the time setting unit 161f detects pressing of the ON button 614, the time setting unit 161f sets the set time as the player end time (alarm time) and transmits the information to the game monitoring unit 161g. When the player end time is set to the last train, instead of letting the player set the time, the necessary information (the timetable of the nearest station on each route of transportation) is registered in advance in the ROM 163 or RAM 162. It is also possible to select the last train time at the nearest station. When there are a plurality of routes in the vicinity of the store, all of them may be used (see FIG. 16), but an aspect (in FIG. 17) of designating the last train time of one (or a plurality) nearest stations among them is desired. 1) can also be adopted. In addition, it is good also as an aspect which prepares required information on WWW beforehand from the information of the route which exists near a store, and the nearest station, and acquires as needed from there. As described above, the time setting unit 161f stores the closing time set by the store (the closing time of the store) and the player end time (including the last train time) set by the player in the time related information storage unit 162c.

  The game monitoring unit 161g constantly acquires the current time from the internal timer 161m after the game is started, and monitors whether or not the current time has reached the time set by the time setting unit 161f to generate an alarm. When the set time is reached, a predetermined alarm is notified (see FIGS. 12 and 13 to 17), and the subsequent game is forcibly terminated in principle as will be described later. is there. In addition, the game monitoring unit 161g sequentially captures the game progress information of the player and the game progress information of the other players in the battle, and writes the updated information in the progress information storage unit 162a. When the game ends normally, the game monitoring unit 161g uses the intermediate progress information as final information for processing in the results processing unit 161, and then deletes (resets). The intermediate progress information is transmitted to the center server device 3 and a signal indicating that the client terminal device 1 has been forcibly terminated is transmitted to the remaining client terminal devices 1. As a result, the remaining opponent players are allowed to replace the player who has been forced to end with the CPU player and continue the game. Considering that there is a difference in the closing time in each store, even if a store is forcibly terminated by setting the closing time, a player of another store that has not reached the closing time in the game at the same table Is to continue the game as much as possible. Basically, the game continuation process is executed until the last player is reached.

  By the way, the average play time setting unit 161j automatically calculates the average play time of each station of the mahjong game composed of a plurality of stations (a plurality of stages), that is, each station of the mahjong game performed on the client terminal device 1 ( Stage), and a function to calculate a new average play time by taking into account the previous average play time, or it can be set empirically by manual operation from the operator. Yes. Or when the center server apparatus 3 is provided with the same calculation function of the average play time as the above, it is good also as an aspect which reads information from the center server apparatus 3 as needed. For example, the time per station may be calculated from the number of stations performed from the start to the end of the game, and the process may be repeated several times to obtain the average play time.

  The game monitoring unit 161g may notify the predetermined alarm when the forced end time is reached and forcibly end the game, or may adopt the following forced end method. For example, each time each station (stage) ends, it calculates whether the time from the current time to the forced end time is shorter or longer than the average play time, and if it is shorter (ie, the set time for forced end) If the station is exceeded, the forced termination process is performed when the station is terminated, or a predetermined time (predetermined time longer than the average play time) is set instead of performing the whole period monitoring process. It is good also as an aspect which starts monitoring operation | movement from this set time before the set time set as use and forced termination.

  Selection that allows the game to be forcibly continued to the next station when the time from the current time to the forced end time set by the player (excluding the closing time) is shorter than the average play time The part 161k may be provided. For example, when the forced termination is notified at the end of the station, the selection unit 161k displays an unillustrated button for requesting forced continuation together with the monitor 11, and when this button is pressed within a predetermined time. The original forced termination process is canceled. In a mode in which the game monitoring unit 161g performs the process of extension as cancellation by forced continuation, the extension is extended to the next station, or until a predetermined number of stations are completed and the game ends. In this way, the setting by the player is given a certain degree of freedom of change in consideration of changes in circumstances such as the incandescence of the game. However, the closing end time is not exceeded.

  The game restart processing unit 161h receives an instruction to restart the game via the receiving unit 361a by the player who has received the forced end, and the progress in the forced end storage unit 362b stored in association with the player. The information is read to restart the game. The game restart processing unit 161h determines whether or not the player received by the receiving unit 361a is stored in the forced end storage unit 362b. If the player is stored, the game restart processing unit 361f The remaining player when the forced termination is received is replaced with a CPU player that is game-controlled by a computer, and the player receives the necessary information to resume the game in the same situation as when the forced termination was received. It is transmitted to the client terminal device 1 that has been performed. When the transmission of this information is accepted, the game resumption processing unit 161h causes the CPU player battle control unit 161i to resume the game from the forcible end point with all the opponent players replaced with the CPU player. Thus, by replacing all the other players with CPU players and restarting the game, if all members who were on the same table at the time of forced termination gathered at any store and did not restart the same game, It is a countermeasure for the situation where the reality is very low that the resumption is not performed. Although the CPU player controlled by the computer basically moves based on the game rules, here, the mahjong rule, in addition to this, the level of strength in the game is slightly different or the completion rate is It is preferable that at least one of the transfer rate, the average number of dramas, and the average conversion number is set to a different value. This makes it possible to replace the CPU player with a different strength and style. Further, it is possible to control the CPU player to change the ability and how to hit according to the contents of the intermediate progress information, and further obtain the strength of the game, the habit, etc. from the history of the player before replacement, You may make it match it.

  On the other hand, when the continuous battle control unit 161l receives a signal indicating that it has been forcibly terminated from at least one of the opponent's client terminal devices 1, it replaces all other three players other than itself with the CPU player, The game continues. In addition, when the continuous battle control unit 161l receives a signal indicating that it has been forcibly terminated from at least one of the opponent's client terminal devices 1, it is forcibly terminated in the opponent's client terminal device 1 that has been forcibly terminated. It is good also as a mode which takes in the intermediate progress information of a time, and uses only the acquired intermediate progress information, replaces only the opponent who received forced termination with a CPU player, and continues a game. Note that the strength and how to hit the CPU player can be set in the same manner as described above.

  Next, the time management (game monitoring) operation by the control unit 161 will be described based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  18 and 19 are flowcharts showing the embodiments when the player sets an alarm. In FIG. 18, first, a clock 601 is displayed in the game monitoring screen area 600 in the game screen of the monitor 11 after the game is started (step ST61). In this state, it is determined whether or not the alarm setting button 602 has been pressed (step ST63). If the alarm setting button 602 has been pressed, the screen of FIG. 11 is displayed. On this screen, by accepting pressing of the up and down buttons 603 and 604, the player end time desired by the player is received. Is set (step ST65). Next, monitoring is repeated until the current time reaches the player end time (alarm time) (step ST67), and when the current time reaches the player end time, alarm notification (see FIG. 12) and forced end processing are executed (see FIG. 12). Step ST69).

  In FIG. 19, first, a clock 601 is displayed in the game monitoring screen area 600 in the game screen of the monitor 11 after the game is started (step ST81). In this state, it is determined whether or not the alarm setting button 602 has been pressed (step ST83). If the alarm setting button 602 has been pressed, the screen of FIG. 11 is displayed. On this screen, by accepting pressing of the up and down buttons 603 and 604, the player end time desired by the player is received. Is set (step ST85). Next, it is determined whether or not the current station has ended (step ST87). If it is determined that the current station has ended, determination of current time + average play time <player end time (set time) is made. Performed (step ST89). If this determination is affirmed, the game continues without being forcibly terminated (return to step ST87), that is, proceeds to the next station. On the other hand, if the determination is negative, alarm notification (see FIG. 13) and forced termination processing are executed (step ST91).

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart when the store worker sets an alarm (at the closing time). In addition, as described above, the store worker sets the closing time and the closing time by performing time setting and confirming operation using a setting operation unit (not shown) in the housing, or on each client terminal device 1 or All the client terminal devices 1 are collectively set.

  In FIG. 20, first, a clock 601 is displayed in the game monitoring screen area 600 in the game screen of the monitor 11 after the game is started (step ST101). In this state, it is determined whether or not the store has been closed (step ST103). If this determination is negative, the present flow is exited. On the other hand, if the determination is affirmed, it is next determined whether or not a forced end time is set on the store side (step ST105). If this determination is affirmed, the process proceeds to step ST107, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step ST117.

  In step ST107, it is determined whether or not the current time is before the specified time before the closing time, for example, 10 minutes before the closing time. If the current time is before the closing time, a predetermined alarm is set. Notification is performed (step ST109). Next, a determination is made as to whether or not a predetermined time, for example, 5 minutes has elapsed since a predetermined time before the closing time (step ST111). If the determination is affirmative, then it is determined whether or not it is the closing time. A determination is made (step ST113). If it is not the closing time, the process returns to step ST109 to notify the alarm, and if it is the closing time, the alarm notification and the forced termination process of the game are performed (FIG. 14, step ST115). In this example, the predetermined time is described as an integral part of the specified time (in this example, one half), and alarm notification is performed every predetermined period. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Therefore, it is good also as an aspect which performs alarm alert | reporting with a shorter time width, so that it approaches the closing end time. For example, if alarm notification is made 10 minutes before, the alarm notification may be made 10 minutes ago, 5 minutes ago, 2 minutes ago, 1 minute ago. According to this, the alarm notification interval is gradually narrowed to close the store. It becomes easy to recognize that the end time is approaching. By determining the prescribed time and the predetermined time, the time can be managed by the number of alarms, so that the game can be monitored in modes other than an integer.

  On the other hand, in step ST117, it is determined whether or not the current time is before a specified time of the closing time, for example, 10 minutes before the closing time. Note that, as described above, the specified time in step ST117 is set to a predetermined time longer than at least the average play time, and may be the same as or longer than the specified time in step ST107. It may be set to.

  If it is determined in step ST117 that the current time is before the specified closing time, a predetermined alarm notification is performed (step ST119). Next, it is determined whether or not the current station has ended (step ST121), and if this determination is negative, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has passed since the specified time before the closing time. (Step ST123) If the said determination is affirmed, it will progress to step ST125. In step ST123, if the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step ST121 to determine whether or not the current station has ended. As a result, after the current time is before the specified closing time of the closing time, alarm notification is performed every predetermined time until the current station is ended. Then, when the current station is finished in step ST121, it is assumed that there is almost no time until the closing time, and the continuation and new participation are prohibited (FIG. 15, step ST125). Here, “continue” is a process in which, when the game results have cleared a predetermined standard (for example, first place) at the end of the game, the player can continue to participate in the next game only by indicating the intention (only pressing the continuation participation button). Say.

  FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 are flowcharts showing each embodiment in the final train setting by the player. In FIG. 21, first, a clock 601 is displayed in the game monitoring screen area 600 in the game screen of the monitor 11 after the game is started (step ST141). In this state, it is determined whether or not the nearest station has been set in advance at the store side (that is, by the operator when the client terminal device 1 is started up) (step ST143). If the nearest station is not set, this flow is received. On the other hand, if the nearest station is set, it is determined whether or not the last train setting button 606 has been pressed by the player (step ST145). If the last train setting button 606 has not been pressed, this flow is received.

  In the case of YES in step ST145, it is determined whether or not the current time is before the specified time of the last train time (of the nearest station on three routes in FIG. 16), for example, 10 minutes before the last train time. If it is before the predetermined time of the last train time (step ST147), a predetermined alarm notification is performed (step ST149). The specified time is set in consideration of the time required for walking from the store to the nearest station. For example, the time required is 4 minutes. Next, a determination is made as to whether or not a predetermined time, for example, 5 minutes has elapsed since the specified time before the last train time (step ST151). Is performed (step ST153). If it is not the last train time, the alarm notification is returned to step ST149, and if the last train time is reached, the alarm notification is performed and the last train time is deleted from the monitoring target (FIG. 16, step ST155). Next, it is determined whether or not the last train time of the nearest station on all routes has been erased from the monitoring target (step ST157). On the other hand, if there is a remaining last train time, the process returns to step ST147 or step ST151 depending on whether or not it is before the specified time of the last train time (step ST159).

  In this case, the alarm is performed 10 minutes before, 5 minutes before, and 0 minutes before the last train time, but the alarm notification for the first 10 minutes and 5 minutes will be in time for the last train, Since the game is not in time even when the game is finished, no further alarm notification is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 16, when there are a plurality of routes (three routes in FIG. 16), the game monitoring unit 161g monitors the last train time of a plurality or all of the routes for the convenience of the player. I have to. In this mode, the alarm notification is set for the first stop time among the last trains of the multiple routes, and the last alarm alert is for the last train time of the last trains of the multiple routes. To be done. As a result, it is possible to use the desired route for various players.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the display form of the route and the last train time is displayed in order from the top by the image display processing unit 161b, and the remaining time is displayed for each last train time. The game monitoring part 161g can also be set as the aspect which performs the last train monitoring with respect to each of the last train time for every several line.

  Next, in FIG. 22, first, a clock 601 is displayed in the game monitoring screen area 600 in the game screen of the monitor 11 after the game is started (step ST171). In this state, it is determined whether or not the last train setting button 606 has been pressed to set one nearest station and the last train alarm at that station (step ST173). If the nearest station and the last train alarm are not set, this flow is received. On the other hand, if the nearest station and the last train alarm are set, it is determined whether or not the current time is before the specified time of the last train time, for example, 10 minutes before the last train time (step ST175). If it is before the time, a predetermined alarm notification is performed (step ST177). The specified time is set in consideration of the time required for walking from the store to the nearest station. For example, the time required is 4 minutes. Next, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time, for example, 5 minutes has elapsed since the specified time before the last train time (step ST179). If the determination is affirmative, then it is next judged whether or not it is the last train time. Is performed (step ST181). If it is not the last train time, the process returns to step ST177 to notify the alarm, and if the last train time is reached, the alarm is notified (FIG. 17, step ST183), and the process exits this flow. In this case, the alarm is performed 10 minutes before, 5 minutes before, and 0 minutes before the last train time, but the alarm notification for the first 10 minutes and 5 minutes will be in time for the last train, Since the game is not in time even when the game is finished, no further alarm notification is performed.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the replacement process performed by the client terminal device 1 with a CPU player for ensuring the game continuation accompanying the forced termination. First, it is determined whether or not a forced termination occurrence signal has been received. If the signal has not been received, the process returns. On the other hand, if the signal is received, it is determined whether or not the own device is a master. This determination can be made, for example, by setting the order of association with the same table in advance in the combination processing stage. For example, the client terminal device 1 associated first is a master, and when the master is forcibly terminated, each client terminal device 1 is assigned to each client terminal device 1 so that the next client terminal device 1 becomes the master. A master decision processing function may be provided. As another method, the client terminal device 1 for which the forced end time is not set or the client terminal device 1 for which the latest time is set among the forced end times is automatically set as a master. May be.

  If it is not the master, the process returns as it is. If it is a master, the corresponding progress information of the corresponding player is read from the progress information storage unit 162a (step ST195), and the CPU player's progress information is determined from the progress information of the player. Creation is performed (step ST197). Next, an instruction for game progress processing is given to the created CPU player (step ST199). Accordingly, the battle between the remaining three players and one CPU player is continued. When the forced termination occurs thereafter, similarly, if there is no change in the master, the master client terminal device 1 is replaced by the new master client terminal device 1 if the master is changed. In addition to inheriting information, a new CPU player is created as described above.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a game resumption process performed by the client terminal device 1 at a later time or at a later date by a player who has been forcibly terminated. First, in the center server device 3, the player is authenticated by the reception unit 361a, and further, the CPU player battle management unit 361f determines whether or not the player has been forcibly terminated as described above. Is affirmed, a signal indicating that the player has been forcibly terminated is received from the center server device 3 (YES in step ST201). When this signal is received, in the forcibly terminated game, the progress information at the time of forced termination is obtained (reception of information transmitted from the center server device 3) (step ST203), and the middle of each remaining player Each CPU player is created from the progress information (step ST205).

The present invention can adopt the following modes.
(1) In addition to the mahjong game, the present invention is applicable to various battle games played by at least two players.
(2) The number of players who are forcibly terminated is not limited to one. For example, in the case of a mahjong game, four players including the last one can be individually targeted. In this case, the present invention is applicable to each. As for the fourth player who has been forced to end last, three of the opponent players have already become CPU players, but will also face these CPU players when restarting.
(3) Even in a match in the same store, when one player leaves due to forced termination by his / her convenience, the remaining players may be replaced with a CPU player so that play can be continued. it can.
(4) In this embodiment, although the example which sets the last train time was demonstrated, this invention is not limited to this, A timetable is displayed as needed other than the last train, and the transportation system desired from the inside is displayed. It is good also as an aspect which selects or designates the departure time of the time zone of the nearest station. Note that the timetable is not limited to the last train, but it is also possible to display a list of required time zones and allow the player to select a desired time.
(5) The game monitoring unit 161g may transmit and receive each other's set time between a plurality of game devices in the battle game, and the set time is associated with the player in the game monitoring screen area 600 of the monitor 11. You may make it display. In this way, each player can know in advance whether or not any of the players is forcibly terminated and the point of forced termination.
(6) The game monitoring unit 161g may display the current time and the set time together in the game monitoring screen area 600 of the monitor 11. In this way, since the current time and the set time are displayed together, the remaining time can be easily recognized.
(7) In the present invention, only one player of the client terminal device 1 that has been forcibly terminated is used as a mode for securing a continuous battle by the remaining players when any of the client terminal devices 1 in the battle is forcibly terminated. In addition to a mode in which is replaced with a CPU player, a mode in which all the opponents (three players) are replaced with a CPU player in each of the remaining client terminal devices 1 can also be employed. The CPU player creation (replacement) process may be performed by the center server apparatus 3 in addition to the client terminal apparatus 1.

It is a lineblock diagram showing one embodiment of a battle game system concerning the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of one Embodiment of the client terminal device. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an embodiment of a client terminal device 1. FIG. 3 is a functional configuration diagram of a control unit 16 of the client terminal device 1. FIG. It is a hardware block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the center server apparatus 3 which concerns on this invention. 3 is a functional configuration diagram of a control unit 36 of the center server device 3. FIG. 4 is an example of a flowchart showing the operation of the center server device 3. FIG. 8 is an example of a detailed flowchart in the case where there is reception from a player other than the player who has been forcibly terminated in step ST5 (competitor determination processing) shown in FIG. 3 is an example of a flowchart showing the operation of the client terminal device 1. It is an example of the screen figure of the battle | competition screen showing the condition of a battle | competition. It is a screen figure which shows an example of a game monitoring screen area | region. It is a screen figure which shows an example of a game monitoring screen area | region. FIG. 10 is a screen diagram in which a screen when a set time is reached during a game (game) is displayed in a game monitoring screen area 600. FIG. 10 is a screen diagram in which a screen displayed when the store closing time is reached and forcibly terminated is displayed in the game monitoring screen area 600. When the store's closing time approaches, multiple stages, here up to a certain stage among a plurality of predetermined stages, that is, when a game ends, the difference between the current time and the closing time is shorter than the average play time It is a screen figure which displays the screen which complete | finishes, without progressing to the next game. It is a final power alarm screen set by pressing a last power setting button 606 displayed in the game monitoring screen area 600. It is a final power alarm screen set by pressing a last power setting button 606 displayed in the game monitoring screen area 600. It is a flowchart in case a player sets an alarm. It is another flowchart in case a player sets an alarm. It is a flowchart when a store worker sets an alarm (at the closing time). It is a flowchart in the last train setting by a player. It is another flowchart in the last train setting by a player. It is a flowchart which shows the replacement process performed by the client terminal device 1 to the CPU player for ensuring the game continuation accompanying the forced termination. It is a flowchart which shows the game resumption process by the client terminal device 1 by the player who received the forced termination later or at a later date.

Explanation of symbols

1 Client terminal device (game device)
11 Monitor (part of time setting means)
11a Touch panel 12 Speaker 161a Game progress control unit 161b Image display processing unit 161c Game player battle control unit 161d Game performance evaluation unit 161e Communication control unit 161f Time setting unit 161g Game monitoring unit 161h Game resumption processing unit 161i CPU player battle control unit 161j Average Play time setting unit 161k selection unit 161l continuous battle control means 162a history storage unit 162b game result storage unit 162c time related information storage unit 361a reception unit 361b selection unit 361c standby unit 361d first execution unit 361e second execution unit 361f CPU player battle Management unit 361g Communication control unit 362a Player information storage unit 362b History storage unit 362c Forced termination information storage unit 600 Game monitoring screen area

Claims (14)

In a battle game system in which a pseudo battle game is performed between a plurality of players via a game image displayed on a display screen of each game device in which game operation information can be communicated with each other,
Game player battle control means for receiving operation information from each operation unit operated by each player and causing the game device to advance a battle game;
A game monitoring means for forcibly terminating the game when a predetermined time is reached during the battle game, and storing the intermediate progress information as the game operation information at the time of forced termination in a memory in association with each player;
Game resumption processing means for accepting an instruction to resume the game by the player who has received the forced termination, reading out the intermediate progress information stored in association with the player, and resuming the game;
A battle comprising a CPU player battle control means for playing a game resumed from the same situation as the forced end time using the read halfway progress information against a CPU player controlled by a computer Game system.   2. The battle game system according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined number of game devices are arranged in a store so as to be communicable with each other, and the battle game can be executed between the game devices. .   The game device is disposed in a plurality of stores, each game device is connected to be able to communicate with each other between the stores, and the battle game can be executed between game devices at different stores. The battle game system according to claim 2.   4. The competitive game system according to claim 2, wherein the game monitoring means includes time setting means for setting a forced end time in advance.   5. The competitive game system according to claim 4, wherein the time setting means sets a store closing time.   6. The competitive game system according to claim 4, wherein the time setting means is for the player to input a desired time.   7. The competitive game system according to claim 6, wherein the time setting means displays a timetable of transportation on the screen and receives time input from the time setting means.   7. The competitive game system according to claim 6, wherein the game monitoring means transmits / receives a set time between a plurality of game devices in the competitive game.   9. The competitive game system according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the game monitoring means issues an alarm when a predetermined time before the set time is reached.   The battle game system according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the game monitoring means displays the current time and the set time together. An average play time setting means for setting an average play time of each stage of a game composed of a plurality of stages,
The game monitoring means compares the time from the stage end time to the forced end time with the average play time every time each stage ends, and the time from the stage end time to the forced end time is the average play time. If it is longer than the time, the next stage is allowed, and if the time from the stage end time to the forced end time is shorter than the average play time, the forced end is performed without proceeding to the next stage. The competitive game system according to any one of claims 4 to 10.   When the time from the stage end time to the forced end time is shorter than the average play time, the game monitoring means includes a selection unit that performs notification for accepting selection of forced continuation, and the game monitoring unit is configured to select when the forced continuation is selected. 12. The competitive game system according to claim 11, wherein the forced termination is prohibited and continuation of the game is permitted.   When a signal indicating that the opponent game device has been forcibly terminated is received, halfway progress information at the time of the forced termination in the opponent game device that has received the forcible termination is read out, and the readout halfway progress information is used. The battle game system according to claim 1, further comprising a continuous battle control means in which a CPU player controlled by a computer instead of the battle opponent continues the battle game. In a method for managing a battle game of a battle game system in which a pseudo battle game is played between a plurality of players via a game image displayed on a display screen of each game device in which game operation information can communicate with each other,
The player battle control means receives operation information from each operation unit operated by each player, and advances the battle game on the game device,
The game monitoring means forcibly ends the game when a predetermined time is reached during the battle game,
The storage means stores the intermediate progress information that is the game operation information at the time of forced termination in a memory in association with each player,
When the player who has received the forced termination is instructed to resume the game, the reading means reads out the intermediate progress information stored in association with the player,
A battle game system characterized in that a CPU battle control means plays a game restarted from the same situation as the forcible end point using a read halfway progress information against a CPU player controlled by a computer. Game management method.

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